Tobian Soundsystems - Switzerland

[Synaxis]

Well well well....something nice coming soon in order to reunite the family...and to walk the SET talk...

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Luxury HiFi Distribution - the Tobian Distributor in the US has the Tobian 300B integrated at their store. I'm going to be getting it here to listen to.

 

[gionaz]

the 15 Signature Horn Speaker:

it is difficult to introduce this new audio reproduction project. because it is not spontaneous to make comparisons. usually one compares objects when there is the possibility of a competition, when some improving aspects of one leave room for some others of the other, here we are faced with something different, here one cannot make comparisons. There are not the usual adjectives recalling other people's experiences, to try to place a product in a more or less recognised ranking in the audiophile collective imagination.
But we are also here for that!
In a raw, synthetic way, I can state that compared to the model just below it, that is the 12 Signature, the 15 Signature brings tonal density to an absolute reference paradigm, there is more layering, more density, more naturalness, more spatiality and a sense of infinite expressive possibility.
The 15 Signature still needs to break in... but what I hear is already enough, It's very difficult for me to think of anything more than!
giona.

 

[jsec]

the 15 Signature Horn Speaker:

it is difficult to introduce this new audio reproduction project. because it is not spontaneous to make comparisons. usually one compares objects when there is the possibility of a competition, when some improving aspects of one leave room for some others of the other, here we are faced with something different, here one cannot make comparisons. There are not the usual adjectives recalling other people's experiences, to try to place a product in a more or less recognised ranking in the audiophile collective imagination.
But we are also here for that!
In a raw, synthetic way, I can state that compared to the model just below it, that is the 12 Signature, the 15 Signature brings tonal density to an absolute reference paradigm, there is more layering, more density, more naturalness, more spatiality and a sense of infinite expressive possibility.
The 15 Signature still needs to break in... but what I hear is already enough, It's very difficult for me to think of anything more than!
giona.


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@gionaz could you share what kind of setup you are using with the Tobians?

 

[gionaz]

could you share what kind of setup you are using with the Tobians?

hello,
currently as a source I use TOTALDAC's top of the range Sublime with double reclocked Sublime
preamp and power amps Dissanayake (also known as the European kondo) and Atelier du Triode (not the current one which is a fake, but the original Italian brand)
LDMS MiniMax digital transport in large chassis with external power supply, expanded with all otional and upgrades and also the top of the range Jcat XACT S1 EVO
Cables: QSA Lanedri Ultimatum Infinity, Audience FrontRow Reserve, Chord the Music, Final touch Audio and Dyrholm Audio
two Ansuz D2 multi-sockets
two switches a Telegartner Premium and an Ansuz D2 (chosen for musicality), plus various other accessories

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

The Tobian 12 Signature has now been playing here for a couple of weeks... I can't praise these enough.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[jsec]

View attachment 147369View attachment 147368

The Tobian 12 Signature has now been playing here for a couple of weeks... I can't praise these enough.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

Hi Marcus, has it been Phasemation SA-1500 & Tobian? Would be great if you could share a bit how these two work together?

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Hi Marcus, has it been Phasemation SA-1500 & Tobian? Would be great if you could share a bit how these two work together?

I've spent most ot the time so far with the Phasemation SA-1500 (wonderful amp - perfectly balanced, natural, clear and dead quiet) and the Aries Cerat Protos (SOTA integrated).

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[gionaz]

Tobian Sound Systems 15 Signature Horn Speakers have settled in. They’ve found their place, their balance, almost as if they sensed the ever-changing soul of my system and chose to dance with it. Break-in continues, but now it feels more like an inward refinement: the sound is taking shape calmly, with the quiet confidence of something that was always there, just waiting to be revealed.

What stands out is the naturalness. Not just in timbre, but in emotion. Notes feel played live, in the room, with a three-dimensionality that needs no gimmicks. Everything is there real, precise, and alive. There’s depth, richness, and an endless reservoir of nuance; each listen opens new doors.

The rest of the system does its best to keep up, though the active electronics are beginning to show their limits, not by fault, but by pedigree. What’s needed are two high-grade monoblock amplifiers, not necessarily single-ended, but thoroughbreds in their own right. Not to fix anything, but to fully release what is already quietly present, just waiting...

 

[Synaxis]

Tobian Sound Systems 15 Signature Horn Speakers have settled in. They’ve found their place, their balance, almost as if they sensed the ever-changing soul of my system and chose to dance with it. Break-in continues, but now it feels more like an inward refinement: the sound is taking shape calmly, with the quiet confidence of something that was always there, just waiting to be revealed.

What stands out is the naturalness. Not just in timbre, but in emotion. Notes feel played live, in the room, with a three-dimensionality that needs no gimmicks. Everything is there real, precise, and alive. There’s depth, richness, and an endless reservoir of nuance; each listen opens new doors.

The rest of the system does its best to keep up, though the active electronics are beginning to show their limits, not by fault, but by pedigree. What’s needed are two high-grade monoblock amplifiers, not necessarily single-ended, but thoroughbreds in their own right. Not to fix anything, but to fully release what is already quietly present, just waiting...

View attachment 148868

Well written. I think the word 'natural' that you used to describe them is a good and accurate one.

 

[gionaz]

Well written. I think the word 'natural' that you used to describe them is a good and accurate one.

yes thank you, I think it is the most difficult goal for any acoustic speaker design! naturalness while maintaining density and expressive energy

 

[justaute]

As an owner of 12FH, I would love to hear the 12 Signature.

 

[Synaxis]

As an owner of 12FH, I would love to hear the 12 Signature.

I agree. I was offered to have the 10 Sig's sent to me for content creation but so far I am resisting. It's a tad less efficient than my 12FH's and I need every bit I can get when I run my 45 and 2A3 amps. For 300B's an up it would still be fine.

 

[justaute]

I've spent most ot the time so far with the Phasemation SA-1500 (wonderful amp - perfectly balanced, natural, clear and dead quiet) and the Aries Cerat Protos (SOTA integrated).

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

Marcus...curious as to if you have any further thoughts regarding the Phasemation SA-1500 integrated.

 

[gleeds]

Marcus...curious as to if you have any further thoughts regarding the Phasemation SA-1500 integrated.

Marcus. I like Phasemation gear a lot. For some extra power in a 300B, I bring in the Trafomatic Rhapsody parallel single-ended Rhapsody integrated from Sasa Cokic. I use any one of the 300B series from EML, beginning with their mesh plate for the most liquid midrange, standard for a balance of speed, liquidity, and power, and their big bottle for fun! Approximately 17/20.23 watts, respectively. Not classic Japanese Shindo, Air Tight or Phasematic styling, but oh what a sound

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Marcus...curious as to if you have any further thoughts regarding the Phasemation SA-1500 integrated.

What would you like to know more specifically?

 

[justaute]

What would you like to know more specifically?

Nothing really specific. Just that in a sea of 300B SET integrated, especially at that price point, how the SA-1500 performs. Although I'm sure it's a very nice piece of equipment, how would you assess its general performance relative to others. Not about better or worse, but about its characteristics. Thanks.

 

[iaxel]

Also Marcus, how does the SA-1500 compare to the AC Protos on the Tobians?
How would you describe the sound signature differences between the two?
Thanks!

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Also Marcus, how does the SA-1500 compare to the AC Protos on the Tobians?
How would you describe the sound signature differences between the two?
Thanks!

These are two very different amplifiers in terms of topology, design and characteristics.

The SA-1500 is a classic 300B SET low power integrated amplifier. It’s a very refined design with the typical build quality and reliability that you can expect from Phasemation. As mentioned earlier, this is a perfectly balanced, natural, clear and dead quiet amplifier which never gets in the way of the music.

The Protos uses some very specific and unique technologies (”TriodeFet” being a singled ended, single stage design) developed by Aries Cerat, where this is a substantial and more powerful amplifier at a higher price (approx. +35-40% in Europe). Protos offers more foundation, solidity and authority compared to SA-1500 which is more delicate and lightweight in comparision.

As always - especially on this level - you need to listen and compare for yourself with your own source(s) - optimally in your own system and room.

 

[jsec]

I curious which speaker cables you are using with Tobian speakers? I have currently on my system (with 12FH) Chord Sarum T cables which I was using with my previous speakers. I have now started to wonder if I should try out something else. Just not sure what direction to go for.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I curious which speaker cables you are using with Tobian speakers? I have currently on my system (with 12FH) Chord Sarum T cables which I was using with my previous speakers. I have now started to wonder if I should try out something else. Just not sure what direction to go for.

It depends on the choice of electronics and as always personal preference, but Esprit and Audience are both potential candidates.

/ Marcus